The City Show Cityscapes Magazine

In this final episode on transit and public space, the New York Times’ Vivian Nereim tells us about the accelerated transformation of Riyadh as Saudi Arabia attempts to make its capital more livable and attractive to investors and visitors. Sarah David, a Kenyan domestic worker, talks about getting around the city, and transport expert Benjamin de la Peña discusses the one-size fits-all approach to transforming transit systems globally and how decolonisation might be vital to achieving real change.

When Johannesburg was awarded the 2010 World Cup, the race was on—literally—for the city’s leadership to figure out how to transport large numbers of international fans all across the city. They even took part in an ‘Amazing Race’ style challenge. But, did the investment pay off? Dhashen Moodley finds out.

When Alejandro Echeverri Restrepo became Medellin’s Director of Urban Projects in 2004, the city was trying to recover from years of violence visited upon it by cartels and militias whose near-unchecked reign of terror had torn it apart. Echeverri and his team quickly realised that a better, more integrated and accessible transport system would be vital.
Catalina Ortiz, now an associate professor at University College London’s Development Planning Unit, had just graduated from a local university and was inspired by the momentum she saw in the city. But, like many, she was equally hopeful and skeptical and had multiple concerns about the many changes she saw in her adopted city and some of their impacts on poor communities. 
In this episode, Alejandro and Catalina explain the decisions that were made and share the concerns they had along the way.

In 2009, Mexican architect Raul Cardenas Osuna enlisted a team of scientists, programmers and artists and to work for his organisation. At Torolab, he wanted them to tackle the biggest problem in the country: violent crime. After months of research, his complex team came up with a simple plan: Start a cookbook.
In the town of Camino Verde in Tijuana, Torolab's cookbook reconnected a traumatised community. They dramatically reduced crime rates. It’s working so well in Tijuana that they’re now trying it across the border in California.

Eko Atlantic, a private estate modelled on Dubai and built in Lagos, was called a "game changer" for Africa's real estate market. The multibillion-dollar project was meant to project Lagos's progress to the world, reviving its economic prospects. Even former US president Bill Clinton said so. But urban expert Olamide Udoma-Ejoh says Eko Atlantic feels more like a parasite.

Fashion designer George Azzi and Urbanist Mona Harb love Beirut. They have lived through the city's multiple crises and survived its tragedies. Both are optimistic and willing to fight for its survival. It's worth it; hope lives in Beirut, they say.